When your dog is throwing up and has diarrhea at the same time, it’s a clear sign that something is not right with their digestive system.
While the occasional upset stomach isn’t uncommon in dogs, the combination of vomiting and diarrhea may point to something more serious.
Understanding why your dog is throwing up and has diarrhea is essential to identifying whether it’s a simple digestive upset or a sign of a more serious condition that requires veterinary intervention.
What it Means When Your Dog is Throwing Up and Has Diarrhea
Dog throwing up and diarrhea often happen due to irritation or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which can be triggered by infections, dietary indiscretion, food allergies, toxins, stress, or underlying medical conditions like pancreatitis or kidney disease.
These symptoms occur when the stomach and intestines attempt to expel harmful substances or react to internal imbalances.
While occasional episodes may not be serious, persistent vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration and signal a more serious issue.
Dog Throwing Up and Diarrhea: Common Causes
Gastrointestinal Infections
Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections are some of the leading causes of dog throwing up and diarrhea.
Viruses like parvovirus, distemper, or rotavirus, and bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli can severely disrupt the digestive tract.
Dogs with intestinal parasites like hookworms, giardia, or roundworms can also experience these symptoms.
These infections irritate the GI lining, causing inflammation that leads to vomiting and loose, watery stools.
In some cases, the dog may also have a fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
Puppies, unvaccinated dogs, and immunocompromised pets are more susceptible to these infections.
Read more: Dog throwing up and not eating (Explained)
Dietary Indiscretion
Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t—garbage, spoiled food, or foreign objects.
This behavior, known as dietary indiscretion, can lead to dog throwing up and diarrhea.
A sudden change in diet or eating table scraps that are too rich or spicy can also upset your dog’s stomach.
When your dog eats something they can’t digest, their body tries to expel it by vomiting.
If it passes into the intestines, it may cause inflammation resulting in diarrhea.
This is usually temporary but can become serious if vomiting and diarrhea are prolonged.
Food Allergies or Sensitivities
Some dogs develop food allergies or sensitivities to specific ingredients like beef, chicken, dairy, or grains.
These sensitivities can irritate the gut lining, causing your dog to throw up and experience diarrhea regularly.
This type of reaction may also come with itchy skin, frequent ear infections, and chronic paw licking.
Identifying and eliminating the offending ingredient from your dog’s diet can help resolve the symptoms.
Ingestion of Toxins
Toxic substances such as chocolate, certain houseplants, human medications, pesticides, and cleaning products can cause sudden dog throwing up and diarrhea.
These toxins disrupt the stomach and intestines and may even affect the liver or kidneys if absorbed into the bloodstream.
Toxin ingestion often results in sudden, violent vomiting and severe diarrhea.
Other symptoms include drooling, seizures, or tremors, depending on the type of toxin involved.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and is a serious condition that commonly causes both vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
It often results from eating fatty foods or can be associated with underlying health conditions like obesity or diabetes.
A dog with pancreatitis may show signs like abdominal pain (shown as a hunched back), lethargy, fever, and vomiting combined with diarrhea.
Pancreatitis requires immediate veterinary care and possibly hospitalization.
Stress and Anxiety
Believe it or not, stress can upset your dog’s stomach.
Dogs may develop acute vomiting and diarrhea in response to environmental stressors such as moving to a new home, loud noises, separation anxiety, or changes in routine.
Stress affects the digestive system through hormone imbalances and changes in gut motility.
Dogs throwing up and having diarrhea due to stress may also exhibit behaviors like pacing, whining, or hiding.
Side Effects of Medication
Certain medications—especially antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or heartworm treatments—can cause side effects like vomiting and diarrhea.
These drugs may irritate the stomach lining or disrupt the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
If your dog develops symptoms shortly after starting a new medication, it’s important to notify your vet.
Never stop medication without professional guidance.
Chronic Conditions and Diseases
More serious health issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disease, or kidney failure, can present with ongoing vomiting and diarrhea.
These conditions often come with additional symptoms such as weight loss, poor coat condition, and increased drinking or urination.
Dogs with chronic digestive conditions may require long-term management and a specialized diet.
Sudden Diarrhea and Vomiting in Dogs
Sudden diarrhea and vomiting in dogs often result from eating something they shouldn’t—such as spoiled food, garbage, or a toxic substance.
It can also stem from a rapid change in diet, food allergies, or infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
While mild cases may clear up within a few hours, persistent or severe symptoms can lead to dehydration and signal a more serious condition like pancreatitis or intestinal blockage. Keep your dog hydrated and see a vet if symptoms last more than 12–24 hours.
Dog Throwing Up and Diarrhea but Acting Normal
If your dog vomits and has diarrhea but still behaves normally, it’s likely a mild stomach upset caused by dietary indiscretion or a temporary food reaction.
Dogs sometimes eat too quickly or ingest something unusual that irritates their stomach. Offer small amounts of water and withhold food for 8–12 hours to let the digestive system rest.
If vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond a day, recurs frequently, or if your dog becomes tired or refuses food, consult your vet to rule out deeper issues.
Read more: Dog throwing up and diarrhea but acting normal
Puppy Vomiting and Diarrhea but Acting Normal
A puppy that vomits and has diarrhea but remains playful may simply have an upset stomach from a diet change, overeating, or stress.
However, puppies can deteriorate quickly from dehydration or infection, even if they seem fine initially.
Monitor for energy changes, continue offering water, and switch to a bland diet temporarily.
If symptoms last more than 12 hours or worsen, seek veterinary care immediately—puppies are more vulnerable to parvovirus and other serious diseases.
Old Dog Throwing Up and Diarrhea
When an older dog experiences vomiting and diarrhea, it could be due to aging-related conditions like liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, or a reaction to medication.
Their digestion is more fragile, and even mild irritation can lead to significant fluid loss. Since older dogs are less resilient, any episode of vomiting and diarrhea should be taken seriously.
Prompt veterinary care helps identify the cause, prevent dehydration, and manage underlying age-related illnesses effectively.
Dog Throwing Up and Diarrhea with Blood
When a dog vomits and has diarrhea with blood, it’s a serious sign of gastrointestinal distress or internal bleeding. Possible causes include hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, parvovirus, ingestion of toxins, ulcers, or severe infection.
The presence of blood means the stomach or intestines are inflamed or damaged, and your dog may quickly become dehydrated or go into shock.
This is a medical emergency—seek veterinary care immediately for fluids, diagnostics, and treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
Dog Throwing Up, Diarrhea and Not Eating
A dog that vomits, has diarrhea, and refuses to eat is likely suffering from a significant digestive issue such as pancreatitis, infection, intestinal blockage, or poisoning.
The refusal to eat signals that your dog’s system is struggling and needs rest and medical attention. Because vomiting and diarrhea cause rapid fluid loss, dehydration can set in quickly.
Do not wait more than 12–24 hours—take your dog to the vet for a full evaluation and supportive treatment to prevent worsening or serious complications.
Read more: Dog is Vomiting, Has Diarrhea, and Not Eating (Causes Explained)
What to Do If Your Dog is Throwing Up and Has Diarrhea
When your dog shows signs of throwing up and diarrhea, your response depends on the severity and duration of symptoms. Here are some steps to take:
Monitor Symptoms
Keep an eye on the frequency, consistency, and color of the vomit and stool. Note any additional signs like blood, mucus, or changes in appetite and behavior.
Withhold Food Temporarily
You can withhold food for 12–24 hours (but not water) to allow your dog’s stomach to settle.
This short fast gives the GI tract a break. Make sure your dog has access to clean water to prevent dehydration.
Offer Bland Food
After the fasting period, feed your dog a bland diet of plain boiled chicken and white rice in small portions. Gradually reintroduce their regular food over several days once symptoms improve.
Provide Hydration
Dehydration is a major concern when a dog is throwing up and has diarrhea. Offer small amounts of water frequently, or use unflavored electrolyte solutions made for pets.
Use Probiotics
Veterinary-recommended probiotics can help restore healthy gut flora and speed up recovery from digestive upset. These are available in powder, capsule, or chewable forms.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
While mild cases may resolve with at-home care, some symptoms should prompt an immediate vet visit:
Frequent or severe vomiting and diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours
Blood in vomit or stool, or black/tarry stools
Lethargy, unresponsiveness, or signs of pain
Fever, dehydration (dry gums, sunken eyes), or collapse
Known ingestion of toxic substances
If your puppy or senior dog is affected (they’re more vulnerable to rapid dehydration)
Chronic symptoms that persist or reoccur frequently
Your vet may perform blood tests, fecal exams, imaging, or even endoscopy to diagnose the cause and recommend treatment such as IV fluids, medications, or dietary changes.
Key Takeaway
Dog throwing up and diarrhea can be caused by many different things—from dietary issues to infections and underlying illnesses.
While mild cases may be manageable at home with a bland diet and hydration, ongoing or severe symptoms require veterinary attention.
Always monitor your dog’s condition closely and don’t hesitate to call your vet if symptoms worsen or persist.
Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference in your dog’s recovery and long-term health.
By staying informed and acting quickly, you can help your furry friend feel better and stay healthy.